My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Spring Training: The Phils even their grapefruit league record with a walk-off home run in extra-innings, as they defeat the Pirates, 4-3.

A lead-off, walk-off home run in the bottom of tenth leads the Phils to a 4-3 victory over the Pirates, as they even their grapefruit league record to 3-3.

The Phils took the lead in the second as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Ty Wigginton hits an RBI double, knocking in Hunter Pence, who had just singled, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the fourth as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Jim Thome, and walks to Wigginton and John Mayberry, Jr., and with two men out, Laynce Nix received an RBI walk, forcing in Thome, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead, while moving both Wigginton and Mayberry up a base. The Phils then took a 4-0 lead in the fifth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Shane Victorino hits a two-run home run, his first home run of the spring, knocking in Placido Polanco, who had just singled. The Pirates started to chip away at the Phils’ lead in the sixth as, with a runner on second, and with nobody out, Casey McGehee hits an RBI single, knocking in Josh Harrison, who had earlier singled, then stole second base, making it a 4-1 Phils’ lead. Two batters later, with runners on second and third, and with still nobody out, Matt Hague hits an RBI ground out, 6-3, scoring McGehee, who had stopped at third on Rod Barajas’ double, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 4-2. Two more batters later, after Nate McLouth had hit a single, which sent Brock Holt, who was a pinch runner for Barajas, on to third base, the Pirates made it a 4-3 Phils’ lead as Gorkys Hernandez hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Holt. The Pirates then tied the game up at four-all in the eighth as Starling Marte hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the spring. The score would stay tied until the bottom of the tenth as Lou Montanez hits a lead-off, walk-off home run, his first home run of the spring, giving the Phils a 5-4 walk-off win.

Cole Hamels received a no-decision as he pitched three and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up four hits, while striking out two. Dave Bush pitched two and a third-innings, giving up three runs on four hits, while striking out a batter. Antonio Bastardo received his first hold of the spring as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. David Purcey blew his first save attempt of the spring as he pitched an inning, giving up a run on one hit, as he struck out one. Phillippe Aumont pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Michael Schwimer (1-0, 0.00) got the win as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. James McDonald also received a no-decision as he pitched three innings, giving up a run on two hits, while striking out a batter. Justin Wilson pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and three walks. Brian Tallet pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man who he would face. Jared Hughes pitched an inning, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk. Daniel Moskos, Bryan Morris and Michael Crotta combined for four scoreless innings, giving up two hits (Morris (1), Crotta (1)) and a walk (Moskos), while striking out a batter (Moskos). Michael Dubee (0-1, 27.00) took the lost as he pitched to one batter, giving up a run on one hit.

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Hunter Pence leading the team with two hits, both singles. Michael Martinez (Double), Placido Polanco (Single), Shane Victorino (Home Run, 2 RBIs), Jim Thome (Single), Lou Montanez (Home Run, RBI), Ty Wigginton (Double, RBI) and Freddy Galvis (Single), had the other seven Phils’ hits, while Laynce Nix had the other Phil RBI via a bases loaded walk. The Phils also collected five walks.

The Phils (3-3) will continue their spring training schedule by next going to Port Charlotte, Florida to face the Detroit Tigers (6-0) at Charlotte Sports Park. Expected game time is 1:05 pm EDT.

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